Busan Office of Education Announces 2024 Busan Special Education Operation Plan

Strengthening Student-Centered Support Through Establishment and Expansion of Special Classes and Increased Special Education Support Staff

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education has announced the "2025 Busan Special Education Operation Plan" to realize customized special education where everyone is respected.

Additionally, to enhance understanding of Busan's special education policies and reduce the burden of attending in-person training, a video explanation will be posted on the Busan School Support Service (BSSS) website until the 14th.

The Busan Special Education Operation Plan aims to strengthen customized support for students eligible for special education, focusing on three major priorities and 19 key initiatives: ▲Enhancing the student-centered special education delivery system ▲Strengthening support for inclusive education for all ▲Expanding individualized special education.

Starting from the 2025 academic year, the "Universal Design for Education Policy" will be applied to ensure that appropriate educational accommodations for students eligible for special education are guaranteed from the policy formulation stage.

Furthermore, to expand educational opportunities for students eligible for special education, 41 special classes (36 special classes and 5 special schools) will be newly established or expanded in the 2025 academic year, following last year’s efforts. The establishment and relocation of special schools in connection with educational development zones will also continue. In addition, the number of special education assistants will be increased by 62, and the number of care managers for special classes will be increased by 100, bringing the total to 300, to further strengthen support for students eligible for special education.

To enhance the quality of special education classes and curriculum, the Special Education Support Group (curriculum, instruction, inclusive education, behavioral intervention) will be operated to strengthen customized consulting. For behavioral intervention support, special school (class) behavioral intervention programs (20 schools), intensive behavioral intervention support, and behavioral intervention expert training courses will also be implemented.

In particular, for students with serious behavioral issues requiring treatment, a new "hospital-linked behavioral intervention support" will be introduced in collaboration with hospitals. The procedures for providing treatment and transportation support for students eligible for special education have also been improved to reduce the burden on staff.

To expand educational support for young children with disabilities, screening tests will be conducted for infants and toddlers attending daycare centers. Treatment support will be provided to those who wish to receive it, and if daycare bus use is not possible, transportation costs for parents accompanying their children will also be supported. Support for after-school and extended care programs in special schools will also be strengthened.

To improve the conditions for special education, funding for environmental improvements will be provided to 28 outdated special classes in general schools that are more than five years old. For nine special schools, improvements will include the creation of disability-customized smart classrooms, barrier-free indoor and outdoor environments, and remodeling of special activity rooms. In addition, support will be provided for increasing the number of school buses to ensure a 30-minute commute zone for special schools.

Kim Kyungja, Director of Early Childhood and Elementary Care Policy, stated, "Customized support for students eligible for special education requires the cooperation and effort of teachers, students, and parents," and added, "The Metropolitan Office of Education will strengthen customized support for these students through meticulous and proactive administration to foster their growth."

Busan Metropolitan Office of Education

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